In Figure REF (a), the (\(p,\gamma \) ) experimental results are compared with the predictions by the TALYS-1.9 code utilizing different NLD models, while all the other inputs are kept to be the same as the default ones.
Using different NLDs gives similar trends, so we present the selective calculations including the one with the default parameters as well as those of the lowest and highest cross sections, as limits of these calculations.
The default NLD in TALYS is the Constant temperature \(+\)  Fermi gas (CTFG) level density [1]}. It sets the
lower limit of cross sections, while the upper limit is obtained by using the microscopic NLD from Hilaire’s table (HT) [2]},
As shown in Figure REF (a), the (\(p,\gamma \) ) cross section is sensitive to the NLDs from about 4 MeV on, and has a less significant impact in the Gamow window, i.e., the low energy data.
Variation of the level density modes could result in a factor of 4.5 difference in cross section at 7 MeV.
Our data are close to the predicted lowest limit, thus provide an direct constraint for the NLD and rule out many NLDs in this mass range.
